Why this woman is public enemy number 2

The so-called “Poo Bomber” has been leaving behind a trail of destruction. Picture: Supplied

by Brenden Hills, The Sunday Telegraph

MEET the shoplifter police have dubbed the "Poo Bomber" who creates a huge mess everywhere she goes.

The 42-year-old woman is a self-proclaimed kleptomaniac who also likes to leave a little something behind - unfortunately not payment but a different type of deposit - before running away.

The Sunday Telegraph has agreed not to name the woman because she suffers from a range of mental health conditions.

Experts believe the woman experiences such a rush of adrenaline from shoplifting that she loses control of her bowels.

However, she has left local authorities, including the magistrates at Moss Vale Local Court, wondering how to strike a balance between treating her mental health condition and protecting the community.

Her victims have so far included Best And Less Mittagong, where she stole $173 worth of clothes.

The police fact sheet states the woman "stood still with her legs partially apart between a row of display stands".

"The accused has looked around before shaking her buttocks and flicking part of her dress near the buttock region," the document said.

"It is at this time that the accused has defecated on the shop floor before walking away."

The woman then took "possession of a tea towel" and used it "to wipe her buttocks" before "throwing it under a display stand", the document said.

Another victim included Shop Pharmacy in Campbelltown Mall, where police documents said the woman "went into the squat position" and caused a "dysfunction in aisle three", forcing the shop to close for an hour until it was cleaned up.

When contacted, her lawyer Ben Archbold said she was remorseful and working to improve her behaviour.

"My client has a mental illness and has quite clearly fallen through the cracks of the mental health support available in the community," Mr Archbold said.

"She would be assisted if you just left her alone."

The woman had been put on a 15-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to four incidents where the charges included multiple counts of larceny and destroy or damaging property.

But she will be resentenced after breaching those bonds after stealing a drill from Central Coast Leagues Club on May 21.

She pleaded guilty and will be sentenced for that and breaching her good behaviour bonds on the other offences at Moss Vale Local Court in September.

She is also under investigation over an alleged break-in at a display home on the Central Coast.

One police source said there was a theory that the woman had changed her methods and broke into the home because she could steal goods and have access to a functioning toilet.

"We'll never know if she used the facilities because you can't unflush a toilet," the police source said.